Dr. Yanhong Shi (left) and Dr. Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami (right) All this month we are using our blog and social media to highlight a new chapter in CIRM’s life, thanks to the voters approving Proposition 14. We are looking back at what we have done since we were created in 2004, and also looking forward to the … Continue reading CIRM funded researchers discover link between Alzheimer’s gene and COVID-19
organoids
“Mini-brains” model an autism spectrum disorder and help test treatments
Alysson Muotri, PhD, professor and director of the Stem Cell Program at UC San Diego School of Medicine and member of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. Image credit: UC San Diego Health Rett syndrome is a rare form of autism spectrum disorder that impairs brain development and causes problems with movement, speech, and even … Continue reading “Mini-brains” model an autism spectrum disorder and help test treatments
‘Mini lung’ model shows scientists early stages of new coronavirus infection
Representative image of three-dimensional human lung alveolar organoid showing alveolar stem cell marker, HTII-280 (red) and SARS-CoV-2 entry protein, ACE2 (green) Image Credit: Jeonghwan Youk, Taewoo Kim, and Seon Pyo Hong The development of organoid modeling has significantly expanded our understanding of human organs and the diseases that can affect them. For those unfamiliar with … Continue reading ‘Mini lung’ model shows scientists early stages of new coronavirus infection
Scientists develop immune evading pancreas organoids to treat type 1 diabetes
By Stephen Lin, PhD., CIRM Senior Science Officer A diabetic child is checking her blood sugar level (self glycaemia). Type 1 diabetes affects millions of people. It is a disease where beta islet cells in the pancreas are targeted by the body’s own immune system, destroying the ability to produce insulin. Without insulin, the body … Continue reading Scientists develop immune evading pancreas organoids to treat type 1 diabetes
Using mini lungs to test potential COVID-19 therapies
Dr. Evan Snyder If someone told you they were working on lungs in a dish you might be forgiven for thinking that’s the worst idea for a new recipe you have ever heard of. But in the case of Dr. Evan Snyder and his team at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute it could be … Continue reading Using mini lungs to test potential COVID-19 therapies
Parkinson’s Disease and Stem Cells
Lila Collins, PhD A few weeks ago we held a Facebook Live "Ask the Stem Cell Team About Parkinson's Disease" event. As you can imagine we got lots of questions but, because of time constraints, only had time to answer a few. Thanks to my fabulous CIRM colleagues, Dr. Lila Collins and Dr. Kent Fitzgerald, … Continue reading Parkinson’s Disease and Stem Cells
Huge honor, hugely deserved for CIRM-funded stem cell researcher
Dr. Andy McMahon: Photo courtesy USC Andy McMahon is one of the most understated, humble and low-key people you are ever likely to meet. He’s also one of the smartest. And he has a collection of titles to prove it. He is the W.M. Keck Provost and University Professor in USC’s departments of Stem Cell … Continue reading Huge honor, hugely deserved for CIRM-funded stem cell researcher
Two UCLA scientists receive CIRM funding for discovery research for COVID-19
Dr. Brigitte Gomperts (left) and Dr. Gay Crooks (right), UCLAImage Credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Center This past Friday, the CIRM Board approved funding for its first clinical study for COVID-19. In addition to this, the Board also approved two discovery stage research projects, which support promising new technologies that could be translated to enable … Continue reading Two UCLA scientists receive CIRM funding for discovery research for COVID-19
Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism
On March 19th we held a special Facebook Live "Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism" event. We were fortunate enough to have two great experts - Dr. Alysson Muotri from UC San Diego, and CIRM's own Dr. Kelly Shepard. As always there is a lot of ground to cover in under one hour and … Continue reading Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism
Tiny organs grown from snake stem cells produce real venom
Researchers grew tiny venom glands from nine different snake species, including the cape coral cobra pictured above. Photo Credit: Michael D. Kern/Science Source Snake venom can be deadly without proper treatment. Interestingly enough, it may also hold the key for treatments against pain, high blood pressure, and cancer according to one analysis. Despite this, scientists … Continue reading Tiny organs grown from snake stem cells produce real venom